Sisal might be a future textile fibre. Sisal is currently used in in composite materials for cars, furniture and constructions as well as in plastics and paper products. 

 

Sisal fibres are obtained from Agave Sisalana, a native of Mexico. The hard plant grows well all year round in hot climate and arid regions which are often unsuitable for other crops. Sisal is a renewable source and can form part of the overall solution to climate change. Measured over its life-cycle, sisal absorbs more carbon dioxide than it produces. During processing, it generates mainly organic wastes and leaf residues that can be used to generate bioenergy, produce animal feed, fertiliser and ecological materialland, at the end of its life cycle, sisal is 100 percent biodegradable. Sisal plants used as hedges act as effective vegetative barriers/ fences to protect the crops lands and forests from predatory animals and intruders.

 

A major use of the fibre is in buffing cloth, because sisal is strong enough to polish steel and soft enough not to scratch it. One major disadvantage is the fact that the fibre is not water repellent. 

 

source: http://www.fao.org/economic/futurefibres/fibres/sisal/en/